River of Life River Han / Hangang

RIVER HAN
River of Life River Han / Hangang
The Han River or
Hangang (han means
large, wide or long and
gang means river) is
South Korea’s fourth
longest river. It is formed
by the confluence of the
Namhan River, which
originates in Mount
Daedeok in South
Korea, and the Bukhan
River, which originates
on the slopes of Mount
Geumgang in North
Korea.
The river is known as the
Han at the junction of the
Namhan and the Bukhan
at Yangsu-ri in
Gyeonggi-do province.
From there, it flows
through Seoul, South
Korea’s capital city.
Although it is not a long
river, the lower Han is
remarkably broad and
within Seoul city limits it
is more than 1km wide. The Han merges with the Imjin River shortly before it
flows into the Yellow Sea (or West Sea as it is known locally). There are broad
tidal flats at the mouth of the Han where it meets the sea. This area falls into the
DMZ (demilitarized zone) that divides South and North Korea.
Of its 319 mile (514km) length, 200 miles (320 km) are navigable, and it has been
a valuable river transportation route since ancient times, particularly during the Yi
dynasty (1392–1910). Various agricultural products are grown in its drainage
basin. The Han supplies the cities along its course with water for industrial and
general use. The river’s upper course, in the mountains, is used to generate
hydroelectric power. In the 1970s three additional multipurpose dams were built at
Yŏngwŏl, Tanyang, and Yŏju.
The Han River and its surrounding area played an important role in Korean history
and was used as a trade route to China (via the Yellow Sea). However, the river is
no longer actively used for navigation, because its estuary is located at the
borders of the two Koreas and is barred for entrance by any civilian.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River of Life Cheonggyecheon
The Cheonggyecheon
restoration project began in
earnest in July 2003 with the
demolition of a 5.8km stretch
of elevated expressway that
ran through the heart of the
city of Seoul. The relandscaped stream, fed by
water from nearby treatment
plants, was opened just over
2 years later in September
2005 (see picture left).
The Cheonggyecheon has
great historical significance
to Soeul since it ran through
the heart of the ancient city
(see below left). At one time,
23 tributaries flowed into the
Cheonggyecheon. For
hundreds of years, the
primary functions of these
waterways were to provide water for washing and to dispose of sewage. But,
despite continuous efforts to dredge and build restraining walls, the streams were
susceptible to flooding during the annual rainy season. And when this happened,
its water overflowed spreading filth and disease rapidly into densely populated
areas.
Early in the 20th century, the decision was made to cover over the
Cheonggyecheon although the disruption of the Second World War and then the
Korean War prevented this plan being implemented. The stream became more
polluted and unsightly and was eventually covered over in phases between 1958
and 1977. The construction of the Cheonggye Expressway between 1967 and
1971 along the course of the stream was widely seen as a symbol for the rapidly
re-developing city and the area became Seoul’s major commercial district.
The speed and thoroughness of this modernization undermined the city’s identity
and the Cheonggyecheon restoration project together with a series of other
endeavours, notably around the Han River, are aimed at improving the urban
environment, restoring forgotten history and culture, and establishing a unique
character for Seoul.
The restoration of the Cheonggyecheon has had multiple effects in the urban
fabric. Some 90,000 people visit the stream on an average day. The stream helps
to cool the temperature in adjacent areas by up to 3.6°C, air pollution has dropped
but adjacent land-values have soared. The number of vehicles entering downtown
Seoul has shown a decrease of 2.3% and the numbers using buses has
increased by 1.4% and subways by 4.3% - daily average of 430,000 people.
The key man behind the restoration of the Cheonggyecheon was the Mayor of
Seoul Lee Myung-bak. Through the project he become a nationally renowned
figure and this undoubtedly helped him win the Korean presidency in 2007.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
Polluted River Arisu
During the first few decades of South Korea’s
existence the Han River became a byword
for pollution, as burgeoning industry and an
impoverished populace used it as a
convenient spillway for industrial and urban
refuse. Though it no longer plays a central
role in commerce or transportation it is a
prime fixture in the life of the South Korean
capital and in the last decade has become
the focus of government sponsored
environmental efforts to clean it up and
transform it into an ecological jewel of the
capital.
While most people agree that the Han River
is far better today than it was in the early
1980s, many are convinced that the river is
still polluted. Floating garbage is an obvious
indicator, but more ominous are the numbers
of dead fish that float lazily down the river.
Most people who fish recreationally on the
Han in Seoul release their catch, unless they
are pungo, ingo (two species of carp) or chango (eel). The chango are often
eaten, but the other two are usually taken home and made into medicine. The
medicine made from the ingo is said to be good for women and fertility while the
pungo are good for general well-being, especially for the elderly. Not surprisingly,
chango are made into a medicine for male stamina, and more than a couple of
"wise" old fishermen swear that it is better than dog meat. But how safe are these
folk medicines, especially if the fish themselves are unhealthy?
Although most Seoul residents choose to drink bottled mineral water, it has been
reported that Oh Se-hoon not only vouches for but drinks the city tap water.
Encouraging Seoul residents to drink tap water and reduce dependence on
bottled water, as well as publicizing the cleanliness of Seoul tap water, has been a
pet project for Oh Se-hoon, the current Mayor of Seoul. His term as Mayor is from
July 2006 to June 2010.
Seoul City launched its program to expand the drinking of tap water among
residents in Seoul because many of them have not trusted the quality of the city's
tap water as drinking water. Many of them still think that piped water in Seoul is
unsafe to drink due to old metal pipes and excessive amount of chlorine. In fact
most of the pipes in Seoul were replaced in the last 20 years, and the chlorine
level is under the strict control.
They distributed free samples of bottled Arisu and also carried out quality-control
measures to test and certify tap water samples from homes. There was even a
series of fun water-themed events called Arisu Festival as part of the 2008 Hi
Seoul events.
A survey of 1,000 apartment units, conducted in 2004, showed that the
percentage of respondents who use Arisu drawing directly form the tap without
purifying it soared from the previous 2.4 percent to 11.3 percent, indicating a
surging rate of increase in the number of households using tap water.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
Resourceful River Flooding
Seoul is
sometimes
known as the
Phoenix City
because of its
ability to recover
from disaster.
Such disasters
have usually
been the result
of military
actions, most
recently the
Korean War,
which
completely
destroyed the
city.
Today's rebuilt
Seoul lies only
20 miles south of
the demilitarized
zone with the
People's
Republic of
Korea; the city exists in an uncertain political relationship with its flood- and
famine-stricken northern neighbour. There have been fears, such as the 1986
Water Panic in South Korea, that North Korea could attack Seoul by releasing a
flood from the upstream dam.
In August 1998 Seoul was afflicted with the worst rainfall in 80 years. Torrential
rain in July 2003 inflicted huge damage in the centre of Seoul. Gwanghwarun, City
Hall and Seosomun districts were all flooded. In July 2009, Jamsu Bridge over
the Han (left) was closed after it was flooded following torrential rain.
Flooding is an increasing problem in metropolitan Seoul. During the past four
decades, particularly serious floods occurred in 1972, 1977, 1984, 1987, 1990
and 2003. Early warning systems have helped reduce the number of casualties,
but the number of people vulnerable to floods is increasing, not only due to growth
in the urban population but also because the society is aging, which means more
individuals at greater risk from the impact of frequent flash floods.
Among the residents of Seoul, flooding is most often attributed to failure of the
pumping system that is the city's chief line of defense against inundation.
However, other analysts believe that a major reduction in the amount of green
open spaces is contributing to increased flood risks.
The new Han River Renaissance scheme involves eliminating existing concrete
embankments and reintroducing natural landscapes, effectively creating water
meadows and this may help to alleviate the impact of any future flooding.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
Resourceful River Grand canal
The Grand Korean
Waterway, is a
proposed 540kilometer (336 mile)
long canal connecting
Seoul and Busan, two
of South Korea's
largest cities. The
canal would run
diagonally across the
country connecting the
Han River to the
Nakdong River, which
flows through Busan
and into the Korea
Strait. The proposed
canal would traverse
difficult mountainous
terrain.
The canal, a project of
the current president
of South Korea Lee
Myung-bak, has met
with controversy and
disapproval. Lee
argues that the canal
will take freight off South Korea’s busy road system and boost tourism in the
centre of the country. His detractors claim that even with the canal, road haulage
would still be a cheaper option.
All that is needed to actually link the Han with the Nakdong is 40km of new canal.
However, the huge cost in the project is in dredging the two rivers and increasing
the clearance of existing bridges to make for a navigable passage. Lee has
suggested that the sale of the sand and gravel dredged from the rivers will help
pay for the project. This dredging, he argues, will also make the rivers cleaner.
Many are still highly scecptical.
The proposal also includes a smaller 20km canal (Gyeongin Canal – see artist’s
impression above) to create a new link between the Han River and the Yellow Sea
at neighboring Incheon. It is believed that this will assist economic partnerships
between the two cities, lessen traffic congestion, stimulate tourism, and provide
Seoul navigable access to the Yellow Sea (West Sea). Currently the mouth of the
Han River is in the DMZ (de-militarised zone) the no-mans land that seperates
North Korea and South Korea. Economic activity in this area is limited for security
reasons. This canal has been given the go ahead and is scheduled for completion
in 2011.
When the canal is finished, and when the Han River has been dredged, the route
via Incheon to Seoul will be able to accommodate both large container and
passenger vessels. It is expected that the new canal will significantly increase
tourism and trade with neighbouring China. In central Seoul there are plans for a
new international sea ferry terminal in either Yongsan or Yeouido or two terminals
in the two areas.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
Working River Han cruise
Since 1986, a small fleet of cruise ships has ferried passengers on one-way and
roundtrip tours from piers along the riverfront. Despite being over one kilometer
wide in places, the Han River is shallow and unfit for deep-hulled boats and
navigation is limited to flat-bottomed barges and pleasure craft.
There has been talk of dredging the river so that larger craft can make their way
from Inchon to the capital - utilizing the river once again as a source of
transportation.
A boat cruise is one of the best ways to view Seoul's river front areas and, in the
heat of the summer, the Han’s cooling breezes are a welcome relief. At night, the
Han comes alive with glimmering lights and a unique atmosphere.
Currently there are six cruise boats, going from Yanghwa to Jamsil, and they all
operate throughout the year. There are 4 places to get on or get off the ferries: at
the Yeouido, Jamsil, Nanji, and Yanghwa docks. All rides run on two kinds of
cruise schedules. One cruise leaves
the dock, goes on the Han River
cruise course, and comes back. The
other course starts from either
Yeouido, makes a stop at Ttukseom
Island, then ends at Jamsil. The
alternate route starts from Jamsil,
makes a stop at Ttukseom Island, and
finishes at Yeouido.
In addition to the standard sightseeing
cruises, the boats can also be
chartered for special events and
parties. There’s an especially tacky
“Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed
boat, if that’s your thing.
As part of Seoul City Government’s
Han Renaissance Plan, new types of
river transport are envisaged like
‘Water taxis’ and ‘Amphibious buses’,
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River City Seoul
Seoul (the name translates as
‘capital city’) is located on the Han
River in the center of the Korean
Peninsula. It is the capital and
largest city of South Korea and has
a population of about 11 million.
The earliest traces of urban
settlement in this vicinity date from
2,000 years ago but, following a
number of name changes, the
settlement became known as
Seoul and was capital of Korea at
the beginning of the Joseon
Dynasty (1392-1910). At that time
it was surrounded by a massive 20
foot high circular wall to provide its
citizens security from wild animals
such as the tiger and from enemy
attack. The gates were opened and
closed each day, accompanied by
the ringing of large bells.
In the late 19th century, after
hundreds of years of isolation,
Seoul opened up to foreigners and
began to modernize. Seoul became the first city in East Asia to have electricity,
trolley cars, running water, telephone, and telegraph systems all at the same time.
Much of this was due to trade with the United States.
The Korean peninsula was annexed by Japan in 1905 and in 1910, they made
Seoul their colonial capital. It was under Japanese occupation until it was liberated
in 1945 at the end of the Second World War when it was divided into Soviet and
American occupied zones. Both North and South Korea claimed sovereignty over
the peninsula as a whole and this led to the Korean War of 1950. A 1953 armistice
ended the fighting; however, the two countries are officially still at war with each
other, as a peace treaty was never signed.
The phrase ‘Miracle on the Han River’ refers to the period of highly accelerated
economic growth from the ashes of the Korean War to the world’s 13th largest
economy, something considered to be impossible by many at the time. In less
than four decades, this “hopeless” city was completely transformed into a world
leading global city, a centre of business and commerce in Asia and a highly
developed economic hub. South Korea relies largely upon exports to fuel the
growth of its economy, with finished products such as electronics, textiles, ships,
automobiles, and steel being some of its most important exports. Samsung Group
and Hyundai-Kia are massive conglomerates.
Today, the population of the Seoul area comprises 24% of the total population of
South Korea. Seoul was the host city of the 1988 Olympic Games as well as one
of the venues of the FIFA World Cup 2002. Seoul has the highest broadband
internet penetration of any city in the world and it is a test-bed for futuristic IT and
multimedia applications. Seoul is considered by many Koreans as a symbol of
national pride and “can-do” spirit.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River City Han Renaissance
Seoul City Government has recently released
plans to improve the landscape and facilities
along the Han and develop Seoul as a
waterfront city. The city government is planning
to invest a total of 672.6 billion won (£360
million) in the master plan until 2010.
The city government plans to create waterfront
towns in Magok and Yongsan and eight
riverside development areas: Magok,
Seobuichon-dong, Sangam, Yeouido, Banpo,
Ttukseom, Jamsil and Ichon-dong.
According to the plan, sections of concrete
riverbank will be dug up, the banks will be
recontoured and planted with trees, shrubs and
wild flowers. The Han’s city tributaries will also
be relandscaped. The aim is to make these
streams an inviting environment for fish and
aquatic life.
The City Government aims to make the
riverside more user-friendly by refurbishing
pedestrian routes to the waterside and by
creating direct links from the bus stops and
subway stations. Roads leading to the Han will
be more pedestrian-friendly with pavements
separated from traffic lanes. There will be
elevators from bus stops down to the
embankment level. A system will also be
introduced that allows visitors to use bicycles
free of charge from subway stations, bus
stops, or public facilities to get to the Hangang.
The riverside parks will be themed and will be
enrichened with new facilities to encourage
people to spend more time by the river.
Bridges will benefit from new digital lighting
schemes. Guidelines for the design and
landscaping of buildings alongside the
Hangang will be introduced in an effort to
improve the riverside landscape. There will
even be a new Hangang Ecology Museum
where visitors can learn about the ecosystem
and history of the Hangang.
One of the first developments is located in the
west of the city. Magok district is to get an
environmentally friendly makeover with a new
name (Eco Energy Town of the Future). The
district is to transform into an energy efficient
zone that'll boast some of the world's best technology. The project is to include a
lake park and marina opening onto the Han River.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River City Banpo
A total of 27 bridges cross the Han River in Seoul
National Capital Area (Seoul, Gyeonggi and
Incheon) and of these 23 are going through
makeovers under the Seoul Metropolitan
Government's Han River Renaissance Project.
The most notable changes can be seen on
Banpo Bridge.
Water nozzles spray some 190 tons of water per
minute along over 1,000 meters of the bridge.
The seven afternoon and evening shows, each
last about 20 minutes. The effect is of a waterfall
coming off both sides of the bridge. The water
jets can also “dance” in time to lighting from
under the bridge, creating undulating patterns of
water and light. The effect is especially dramatic
when seen at night from the Han River Park on
the south bank, with the lights of downtown Seoul
and Seoul Tower in the background. The bridge
itself is a double-decker, with a lower deck view
something like being inside a waterfall.
Banpo Bridge’s lower deck, called Jamsu, has
been pedestrianised with pavements, jogging
courses and bicycle lanes. A 2,500 square-meter
public park will be built at the southern side of the Jamsu/Banpo equipped with
playgrounds and a water garden.
Aside from the Jamsu Bridge, city authorities are planning changes to five other
bridges to make crossing easier for pedestrians. Through the end of 2008, the city
government plans to remove one car lane from the Yanghwa, Mapo, Hangang,
Dongjak and Hannam bridges and convert them into walkways. Cafe Rainbow is
situated on the south bank by Hannam Bridge and from here, you can enjoy a
panorama of the Han from a viewing deck on its fourth floor.
The City has been working with lighting designers to create new illumination
systems for the bridges that span the river. ‘White Sea’ and ‘Korea in the World’
are the titles of the displays on the Hangang and Dongho bridges, respectively. To
conserve energy, only half of the bridges are illuminated at any one time, and lowwattage, energy-efficient bulbs and cold cathode lamps have been installed. In
fact, the daily cost for illuminating a bridge is just 33,000 won, which is less than
£20.
A Floating Island (see concept illustration left) will be built in the river near Banpo.
When completed in September 2009, the Floating Island, composed of three
artificial islands, will have facilities for performances and exhibitions as well as
festivals and sports and leisure activities. The Floating Island will be designed in
an eco-friendly fashion. Together with the renovated Jamsu Bridge and Jamsu
Fountain, the hope is that this area will become be a new tourist destination. The
islands will be connected to the park and to the Jamsu bridge and will be lit up
with LED lights.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River City Seonyu Island
Once upon a time, Seonyu Island
(also known as Seonyubong) had a
small peak and picturesque, jagged
cliffs. This beautiful setting inspired
wandering Confucian gentleman
scholars, or seonbi, who came here
during the Joseon Dynasty to paint
and compose poetry.
Seonyu Island is a tranquil setting
in the midst of the Han River and
one of the world’s busiest cities.
But in a dramatic shift of fortune,
this small island on the west side of
the Han River had its mountain and
cliffs removed during the Japanese
occupation of Korea, and in 1978, it
became the site of a sewage
treatment plant. Twenty-three years
later, the plant was shut down, and
after two years of planning and restoration, Seonyu Island was transformed into a
gorgeous, eco-consciousness park that opened in 2003.
The 110,000-square-meter park harmoniously combines the organic with the
industrial by preserving the former treatment plant’s structures and integrating
them into a series of gardens. Water is the island’s principle theme. For example,
bygone settling basins for water treatment chemicals are now home to small fish
and many species of aquatic plants that naturally purify water.
In a large, recessed area, rows of 15-foot tall supporting columns are wrapped in
vines. These columns used to support a
reservoir’s concrete slab roof, but today
they stand roofless on a bed of small,
smooth rocks. Nearby, there’s also a large
hot-house chock full of plants with small,
medium and large streams of water flowing
all around.
Besides the gardens, a maze-like series of
paths and bridges connects the park’s
other components, including the Han River
history museum, a 200-seat amphitheater,
a greenhouse and the modest Cafeteria
Naru, which offers snacks and a great view
of the river below.
Since auto access to Seonyu Island is
limited, most visitors reach it via an elegant
468-meter footbridge, nicknamed the
Rainbow Bridge. It was designed by a
French architect as a gift from France to
the Republic of Korea. At night, vivid colors
illuminate the bridge from below.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River City Yeouido Island
At about 8.4 square kilometers, Yeouido is by far
Seoul’s largest island. But despite its strategic
location in the past it was thought to be worthless,
since most of the island disappeared when the
Han River frequently flooded. As a result, for
centuries Yeouido was generally relegated to
pastureland and peanut fields. The first major
development didn’t occur until 1924, when the
Japanese colonial government built Seoul’s first
airport there.
Yeouido is now home to some of Korea’s largest
broadcasters, banks and financial services
companies, not to mention it’s the headquarters of
Korea’s Stock Exchange and global giants like LG
it is also the site of Seoul’s distinctive curved pink
glass tower called the 63 Building. The Island is
often called Korea’s Manhattan.
The island is completely surrounded by parks and, in Spring, the island hosts the
Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. Every year, over four million people visit
to enjoy performing arts companies from Korea and abroad and to see the
azaleas, forsythias and cherry blossoms. The latter is by far the biggest draw. The
pavement in Yoonjung-ro is flanked on both sides by mature cherry trees, which
create a gorgeous 5.7-kilometer canopy of pale white blooms. It’s the best spot in
Seoul to see cherry blossoms.
The image on the left is an artist’s rendering of a
new bridge that will connect Yeouido’s west side
to the mainland.
As part of the Han River Renaissance Project, the
concrete walls that line the island’s riverbank are
being removed in favor of a more natural
environment. The park area on the island’s
western side have already been almost
completely removed and replaced with a park
area. A green park will be built alongside
Saetgang Stream. This park will be used as a
place of outdoor learning for children and will
become one of the must-see spots along the
Hangang.
Seoul Colour Park opened recently near the south
side of Mapo Bridge. The park is decorated with
benches and various sculptures painted in colors that represent Seoul. The red
symbolizes "dancheong" and is the colour traditionally used in Korean wooden
buildings. The green symbolizes Namsan (Mount Nam) and the dark grey
symbolizes the color of traditional tiled roofs. Yellow and white represent
respectively, ginkgo leaves and the water of the Han River. These colours
transform what was previously a dark space under the bridge into a unique,
colorful resting place for citizens so that they can take a rest or spend time with
their friends or family members.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River City Riverside Parks
Prior to the 1988 Olympics, the
banks of the river were bare and
uninviting; shunned for the most
part by the citizens of Seoul. But
during the past two decades, the
Han River and its banks have been
transformed, through a series of
grassy parks, into a beautiful
sanctuary: an escape from the
hustle and bustle of metropolitan
Seoul and the oppressive heat of
summer.
12 riverside parks line the Han
River. These 40 square kilometers
of park lands are visited by nearly
60 million people annually, and
ambitious efforts are underway to
improve this already impressive
network of green space in central
Seoul.
One of the most popular river parks
is the Banpo section. Located between the Banpo and Hannam bridges on the
river’s south bank, the park was recently redone, with much of the natural
vegetation removed in favor of expansive lawns, walking and bicycle trails, and a
large play area for children. An inline skating rink and outdoor stages were also
incorporated into the new design. A broad and attractive walkway was built linking
it with the street and a wood-paneled tunnel dips under the riverside expressway,
allowing easy access to the park. This being a riverside park, jet skis vy with water
taxis and river cruise boats for primacy on the water.
Jamsil Park is endowed with numerous leisure and sports facilities including a
nature education center. Ttukseom Park, or Gangbyeon Riverside Resort,
includes a swimming pool, windsurfing, waterskiing and motorboating. Seonyudo
Park has rustic gardens, a plant centre, an environmental playground, and a
forest. Many fountains surround the Park, including the landmark World Cup
Fountain. Nanji Park includes a camp site and there are rollerblading and cycle
paths.
The river parks are
calming places for
a picnic on a hot
summer day. And
if you don’t want to
lug food, you can
flag down a fast
food delivery man
on his moped. In
30 minutes or less,
you’ll have spicy
fried chicken, pork bossam or any number of other delicious meals delivered to
your picnic blanket.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River Culture Festivals & Events
Seoul’s major cultural
jamboree, the annual Hi
Seoul Festival has four
seasonal editions: Sprint,
Summer, Autumn and
Winter. Given the Han’s
significance to Seoul, the
festival often features riverrelated programming.
In 2007, the festival built
two temporary bridges
from Seonyu Island to the
south bank, a distance of
about 300m. The first was
a reconstruction of the
pontoon bridges built in the
Joseon Dynasty. It was
dressed and decorated in
appropriate style and
crossed by a procession in
traditional costume and
then opened up for the
public to enjoy. The
second was a ‘sunken
bridge’ which gave people
the chance to walk barefoot submerged at a depth of 30cm below the water line.
The festival also included a Lighted Boat Parade with a large lantern boat which
towed smaller boats representing different countries of the world. And there was
an International Tightrope Walking Competition across the Han to find the fastest
person to walk the 1,000m distance.
In 2009, Hi Seoul Festival held events at Yeouido, Ttukseom Park and Seonyu
Island. Amongst the canoeing and dragon boat racing there was 1st Hangang
Birdman Contest (pictured below left) which challenged all comers to fly by
whatever means across the Han.
All of the Han River Parks except Gwangnaru, Gangseo and Seonyudo have
boating facilities where sports such as windsurfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet
skiing, yachting, and dragon boating can be enjoyed. There are also outdoor
swimming pools at Ttukseom, Yeouido, Gwangnaru, Mangwon, Jamwon, and
Jamsil. All of these swimming pools have recently been upgraded.
During the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, the Han River was the site of the
Olympic rowing regatta. Dragon boat racing has become popular at the Ichon
section of Han River Park. A dragon boat is a long boat decorated with a dragon's
head at the front and a dragon's tail at the back. Generally 22 people make one
group. Twenty people paddle, one steers, and the other bangs a drum to keep the
others in rhythm.
Windsurfing is one of the most popular activities you can enjoy at the Han.
Ttukseom is home to about 60 windsurfing clubs, with 2,000 windsurfers flocking
there over a good weekend. For those inclined to a more leisurely pace, motorboats, yachts, dinghies, canoes and kayaks are all available for hire.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org
RIVER HAN
River Culture Island transformations
Oh Se-hoon, the Mayor of Seoul, is hoping to
emulate the iconic success of Sydney’s opera
house with a state of the art, waterfront opera
house of its own.
Nodeul Island, or The Han River Art Island as
it is to be known, will be reborn as a giant arts
complex after a 450 billion won (US$300
million) makeover. The Island will house two
concert halls and an art gallery. However its
most prominent feature will be the 1,785-seat
opera house.
The Island is currently reached by land via a
bridge but after the renovation opera fans and
tourists will also be able to access the island
by river boat and speed boat. The island will
also have a ferry terminal and new foot bridge.
Seoul officials hope that the new opera house
will be the jewel of the Han River.
Sydney took nearly three decades to build its
opera house from inception to completion but
Seoul will finish the Island by 2014, just shy of
five years.
Seonyu Island (below left), which is west of the
larger Yeouido Island, is another of the Han
Rivers transformed islands. Seonyu used to
have a small peak and picturesque cliffs and
its beautiful setting inspired wandering
Confucian scholars, or seonbi, who came to
paint and compose poetry.
But in a dramatic shift of fortune its mountain
and cliffs removed during the Japanese
occupation of Korea, and in 1978, it became
the site of a sewage treatment plant. Twentythree years later, the plant was shut down, and
after two years of planning and restoration,
Seonyu Island was transformed in 2003 into a
gorgeous eco-park.
The 110,000-square-meter park harmoniously combines the organic with the
industrial by preserving the former treatment plant’s structures and integrating
them into a series of gardens. Water is the island’s principle theme. For example,
bygone settling basins for water treatment chemicals are now fish tanks and
feature many species of aquatic plants that naturally purify water.
Since access to Seonyu Island by car is limited, most visitors reach it via an
elegant 468-meter footbridge, nicknamed the Rainbow Bridge. Its design, by a
French architect, was a gift from France and at night the bridge is illuminated with
a vivid colour scheme.
River Han was compiled by Adrian Evans in 2009
Rivers of the World is a Thames Festival project delivered in partnership with the British Council’s
Connecting Classrooms with support from HSBC Global Education Programme
www.riversoftheworld.org